Research starts with PhD students

Chapter 39 Invitation to an International Conference
The Journal of High Energy Physics has released a new issue, and the third article is "Central Anchor Point Connection Analysis Data Simulation Deviation".

Roberto Castello, chief data scientist at the Swiss Center for Data Science, commented on the paper: "This is a special algorithm that analyzes the difference between the actual experimental conditions and the ideal simulated conditions.

No one has ever thought of conducting data research in this direction.

The research is very innovative and valuable, as it can help us gain a clearer understanding of particle experiments.

Maybe in the future, this algorithm will become critical.”

……

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

This particle physics research institute, which owns the world's second largest accelerator, has just experienced management and direction turmoil.

The reason is the huge expenditure of funds and the lack of outstanding research results.

The Department of Energy gave Fermilab a B for its performance, while it needed a B+ to pass its review.

Fermilab undergoes a reorganization.

Lea Meminga became the director of Fermilab and began her massive layoffs.

Massive layoffs and massive cuts in spending.

This has made many people who are still working in the laboratory see no hope for the future, and some even think about leaving early.

James Bob is one of them.

He is the director of the Experimental Data Center, but due to changes in the laboratory, there has been very little research recently.

So, he became very free.

Every morning, after arriving at the experimental data center, I stay in the office to drink a cup of coffee, spend half an hour dealing with work emails, and then read the latest research papers to enrich myself.

If there is content that interests you, just read it for a while longer, and you can use the rest of the time to relax.

For example, watching a baseball game.

Or, you can go to Twitter and curse at the fans of the baseball club you hate, or post a short video if you want to share some content. As long as the content is related to the scandals of big shots, it will always attract a lot of traffic.

The same thing happened today.

After James dealt with his work emails, he found that a new issue of the Journal of High Energy Physics had been published, so he opened it and took a look.

When he turned to the third article, he found it a little funny.

"The author's name is Zhang Shuo, a doctoral student?"

“What kind of research can a PhD student conduct?”

He smiled nonchalantly, but when he actually read the content, his expression suddenly became more and more serious.

An hour later, James rushed out of the office with the magazine and went to the experimental center next door to find Leah Meminga.

"Ms. Meminga, this is our chance!"

"The reason why our research always lags behind is that we are second and CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) is first."

"Their experiments are more intensive, and we want to see the data they can see, so a lot of money needs to be invested in building new equipment."

"That's what Nigel did, he led the LBNF project, but ultimately..."

Leah Meminga understood what was said next without having to say it.

The previous director, Nigel Locke, led the LBNF project and applied for a large amount of funding from his superiors, but there were no groundbreaking research results during the period.

Ultimately the lab failed the Department of Energy’s audit.

Leah Meminga took the magazine, glanced at the title of the paper, and asked, "You mean this research paper?"

"That's right!"

James said seriously, "This is an algorithm that analyzes experimental and simulation deviations."

"If we can develop a highly accurate analysis software, we can use it to analyze the original experimental data, including data shared by other institutions."

"Then there may be new discoveries, new results, or even new physical phenomena."

"All we have to do is to assemble a computer team and create an algorithm software."

Leah Meminga nodded and continued, "How much funding will it cost?"

"It's not certain yet."

James shook his head. “I need to confirm the difficulty of the algorithm and discuss it with others before I can give an accurate assessment.”

"Ok."

Leah Meminga said, "Professor Bob, your idea is very good. I support this innovative research. You need to come up with a report and budget plan as soon as possible."

"Of course, the funding cannot be too high. You also know the current situation..."

at the same time.

Centre for Nuclear Experimental Physics, Geneva, Switzerland.

The paper's reviewer, Roberto Castello, said something similar to James, "My final comment on the paper was, 'This algorithm might be critical', and actually, I think it is critical!"

Roberto's expression was serious. "This kind of research could be very meaningful."

"In the study of particles, we have not made any progress for a long time. Before that, the only thing worth mentioning was the God particle."

"We spent tens of billions of euros to build large-scale equipment, but the result was just to increase the intensity of experiments."

“The data became huge, the analysis became difficult, and in the end there were no findings worth mentioning.”

"Now there is a new analytical method that we can use to re-examine the original data and perhaps make some discoveries."

“This is much more efficient than conducting new, more intensive experiments.”

Sitting opposite Roberto was Fabiola Gianotti, director of the experimental center, head of the experiment, and the first person in the real sense of the European Organization for Nuclear Research.

Fabiola Gianotti listened carefully and nodded. “Professor Castello, your suggestion is very good, but how should we do it?”

“According to this method, we will study the algorithm software for analyzing experimental simulation deviations.”

“Is it difficult?”

“It’s very high.” Roberto Castello is a reviewer of the paper. He knows more about algorithms than James Bob. “The most difficult part is the bias assessment system. The logical framework contained in it is very complex and requires a lot of algorithmic program support.”

"The fourth paper is the analysis results published by the Institute of High Energy Physics. Judging from the results, their experimental intensity is very low, and the parameters to be analyzed are relatively few. Our experimental intensity is high, and the parameters will be doubled, so the complexity of the algorithm will also increase exponentially."

"According to my estimation, it will be at least dozens of times more complicated."

"To complete this research, a dedicated large-scale computer team must be established..."

Fabiola was a little confused. She interrupted and asked bluntly, "How much money will it cost? How long will it take to complete?"

"What is the estimate? Tens of millions of euros? About a year? I can't be sure yet. I have to discuss it with others before I can give an estimate."

Fabiola pursed his lips and nodded seriously, "Perhaps there is another option, which is to reduce the investment appropriately."

"What should we do?" Roberto asked in surprise.

"Let him come..."

……

The next morning, the official website of Suzhou University of Science and Technology released an announcement:

“Congratulations to our doctoral students Zhang Shuo and Professor Luo Yongjun for publishing the paper “Central Anchor Connection Analysis Data Simulation Deviation” in the top international physics journal “Journal of High Energy Physics”.

Professors Zhang Shuo and Luo Yongjun, in collaboration with the Institute of High Energy Physics, developed a data analysis program for experimental simulation deviations..."

The following are introductions to the results.

Luo Yongjun did not go to the computer room, but went to the large office on the first floor of the East Third Teaching Building early in the morning.

Normally, he dislikes the noise in the office.

Today we hope that the more people there are, the better.

Several colleagues who had just arrived at the office couldn't help but joked when they saw Luo Yongjun, "Lao Luo, why aren't you staying in your project room?"

"Lao Luo? What a rare visitor!"

Luo Yongjun seemed to be immersed in his work and did not bother to answer.

Soon, everyone knew about the school announcement, and the next thing they said to Luo Yongjun was, "Lao Luo, your students are amazing!"

"The Journal of High Energy Physics is the top journal among the top journals in physics, equivalent to the four major journals in mathematics, right?"

"I can't even think about this kind of research..."

"I was wondering why Lao Luo was staying in the office today. So that's why!"

“You are the second author, why are you not the corresponding author?”

"It's just the second work..."

Luo Yongjun was so angry that he said, "You guys are just jealous! The second author is also amazing, okay?"

"Okay, I remember it!"

"Next time there is a project, I won't think of you guys..."

After Luo Yongjun finished speaking angrily, the atmosphere in the office immediately changed to, “Just kidding, just kidding, the second author is also amazing!”

"It's ok to just add a name, I don't even have a chance!"

"Professor Luo must have made a great contribution to this research!"

"We study mathematics, and publishing a paper in a top physics journal is already a great achievement, just like a football player winning a prize for playing basketball. Isn't that great?"

Luo Yongjun's mood suddenly improved.

the other side.

In the classroom, Zhang Shuo was bombarded with similar comments, but there was no sarcasm, only admiration.

"Zhang Shuo, your paper is amazing, it's from the Journal of High Energy Physics!"

"It's a top magazine and even made the news!"

"After the school issued the announcement, several media outlets reprinted it. A quick search on the website will reveal it..."

In the middle of the classroom.

Liu Chengjie was talking to several classmates, "I also participated in this research and completed an algorithm package, a very important algorithm package."

"I also helped Zhang Shuo revise his paper with my supervisor."

His nose almost turned up as he spoke.

Huang Kai stood aside and couldn't help but question, "Why isn't your name listed among the authors of the paper?"

"Besides, it seems you didn't participate in the project?"

Liu Chengjie looked over with resentment on his face, his eyes almost saying 'what grudge do I have against you'.

This is Li Weihua’s partial differential equations class.

After the course, Li Weihua also said "congratulations" to Zhang Shuo, "Publishing a paper in a top physics journal is amazing!"

Zhang Shuo said modestly, "It's just a small algorithm research. As the experimental application is valuable, it was taken seriously."

"That's really impressive. That's a paper published in a top physics journal. There are many projects worth millions or tens of millions of dollars that may not be published in top journals!"

As Li Weihua was speaking, Gao Ming, deputy director of the university's science and technology department, and Wang Duoju, administrative director of the college, appeared at the door together.

Gao Ming walked into the classroom and went straight to Zhang Shuo. He took the initiative to extend his hand and said with a warm smile, "You are Zhang Shuo, right? Congratulations."

Zhang Shuo looked at Wang Duoju in confusion.

There’s no need to come to the classroom to congratulate someone for publishing a paper in a top journal, right?

Wang Duoju explained, "It's like this, Zhang Shuo, the International Conference on High Energy Physics Computing has sent you an invitation letter."

"The electronic invitation letter was sent to the Science and Technology Department, so Director Gao decided to tell you the news in person."

"We've seen that the conference invited you to give a 45-minute presentation, which should be related to your research."

"congratulations!"

(End of this chapter)